73-year-old Japanese woman scales Mount Everest

Gunbatta Ne !

Awesome! Amazing role model for women, elderly and well, everyone!! Otsukare!

Tamae Watanabe- congratulations on a great accomplishment. You're a star!

And the last time I checked it costs over $60,000 USD per climb going to the Nepalese government so not only is this 73 year old Japanese woman very healthy but my guess she does not have to worry much about $$$$.

It's interesting to see that when she successfully scaled the peak she is "great", but if because of the weather she had died, she would have been accused of "overestimating her abilities." So, is it OK for old people to climb mountains? To drive cars? To be CEOs of companies?

JT readers, next time when an old person has some problems, please don't give comments "Old people should not be allowed..." because it seems that the age is NOT a limit for some.

Good point, Zybster. It's so easy for people to judge after the fact, but before the fact is where the true test of judgment is made.

And the last time I checked it costs over $60,000 USD per climb going to the Nepalese government so not only is this 73 year old Japanese woman very healthy but my guess she does not have to worry much about $$.

So what? Anyone who climbs Mount Everest, or any of the other major world peaks has my absolute upmost respect. To do it at 73 is absolutely amazing in my book and I tip my hat to an extraordinary woman.

Wow! What an amazing achievement!

Congrats!! Good for her!

**It's interesting to see that when she successfully scaled the peak she is "great", but if because of the weather she had died, she would have been accused of "overestimating her abilities." So, is it OK for old people to climb mountains? To drive cars? To be CEOs of companies?

JT readers, next time when an old person has some problems, please don't give comments "Old people should not be allowed..." because it seems that the age is NOT a limit for some.**

She's not your average 73 year old, has climbed the mountain before, was with sherpas and was well prepared... Why try and start a fight on a positive thread??

omedetto

guess i know why i always see fuji-san full of old ladies every year i climb it

Anyone climbing a mountain higher than 26,000 feet has to have the ability to not only stave off altitude sickness but be able function in a very low oxygen environment for several days at a time. To have that ability at her age is quite an accomplishment. However, regardless of natural ability, training and skill, luck plays a large role in any successful ascent of Everest. I am fascinated by mountaineering and have read quite a few books about attempts on Everest, K2 and other mountains that are considered difficult to climb. The weather plays a huge role and can at times be unpredictable on Everest even with all of the modern forecasting ability we now have. In 1996 many climbers, including an accompished Japanese woman Yasuko Namba and a very experience guide named Rob Hall, were killed on Everest due to a storm that occurred while the team was near the summit.

Watanabe is an amazing mountaineer - what a fantastic achievement!

Best wishes for a safe descent.

Wow! That's amazing! It's almost like a scene out of a comedy movie where a mountain climbing team is bypassed by a 73 year old grandma.

From the Tibet side ? wow, how did she manage to get that permission ?

Omedetou gozaimasu, Watanabe san!!! Your family should be proud of you!!!

Wow! So this is what 'wellderly' means. Puts my fitness to shame.

Wow I am 40 years younger and I can't imagine making it up there. Outstanding.

Oh My God! I'm 71 and after a 3.5km fast walk in flat terrain I fall exhausted :)

World heighedt peak mt.everest ****Is Nepal go visit once the lovey Himalayan kingdom arigatou

Wow, now that is an accomplishment! So much respect for this woman. Just shows that age shouldn't stop you from trying to pursue your endeavors. Bravo!